The strongwomen-healthy hearts program: Reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors in rural sedentary, overweight, and obese midlife and older women

S.C. Folta, A.H. Lichtenstein, R.A. Seguin, J.P. Goldberg, J.F. Kuder and M.E. Nelson

American Journal of Public Health, 2009, vol. 99, issue 7, 1271-1277

Abstract: Objectives. We tested a community-based intervention designed to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in sedentary midlife and older women who were overweight or obese. Methods. In a randomized controlled trial conducted in 8 counties in Arkansas and Kansas, counties were assigned to the intervention (a 12-week twice-weekly heart health program) group or to the delayed-intervention control group. Ten to fifteen women were selected from each site, and participants' weight, waist circumference, diet, physical activity, and self-efficacy were measured before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed with multiple regressions. Results. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group had a significant decrease in body weight (-2.1 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI]=-3.2, -1.0), waist circumference (-2.3 in; 95% CI=-4.2, -0.5), and energy intake (-390 kcal/day; 95% CI=-598, -183); an increase in activity (+1637 steps/day; 95% CI=712, 2562); and an increase in self-efficacy for dietary and physical activity behaviors. Conclusions. Our results suggest that a community-based program can improve self-efficacy, increase physical activity, and decrease energy intake, resulting in decreased waist circumference and body weight among at-risk women.

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2008.145581_4

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.145581

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